Disney The Lion King Kids

Roleystone Theatre’s production of Disney The Lion King Kids features a delightful young cast and is charming the socks off the audiences at Roleystone Theatre’s temporary venue, Roleystone Hall. It plays in conjunction with Disney’s Moana Jr, with most audience members choosing to partake in a very satisfying double bill.

This show features the younger Roleystone performers with actors ranging from 5-year-old Oralia Tobe, through to 12-year-olds.  Newcomer director Madison Laine Thomas, making a very impressive debut, has chosen to stage this with a Brechtian influence, with the performers on stage at almost all times, stepping out of the ensemble to take on bigger roles as required.

Olivia Keary does a great job in the title role, playing Simba with strength, and showing a developing maturity of character throughout the show (not an easy feat for a young performer). She is beautifully matched with Trithany Delides, sweet, with strength as Nala.

Simba’s offbeat mentors Timon and Pumba are a delight as played by Bodhi Nield and Evie Bates-Waltham, showing lovely teamwork, comic strength and leading crowd-pleaser number Hakuna Matata with panache. Mackenzie Ramsell is terrific as Zazu, with lovely energy and expert puppeteering

Callan Emmerson gives maturity and gravitas to Simba’s father Mufasa, nicely supported by Stella Barry as Sarabi.

There are some great baddies in this show, with Ada Sheppard scheming beautifully as Scar, backed beautifully by the villainous hyenas Shenzi (Quinn Daily), Banzai (6 year-old Winter Rhodes nailing delivery) and Ed (Rhiannon Williams-Reddish).

The show is narrated by a quintet of Rafikis, with Abby Marshall, Asha Kerford, Isla Stockden, Jasmine Daily and Kelsie Hardwick showing lovely teamwork and cohesion. The ensemble is focused and works hard throughout.

Singing is strong under the guidance of Musical Director Nicole George and the young cast have clearly worked hard to execute the creative choreography of Chloe Palliser. Joanne Padgett has created artistic African themed ensemble costumes and the actors faces are brightened by cute tribal inspired designs. Stephen Carr has designed a dynamic lighting plot operated by teenage technician Freya Taylor, with Sarah Conolly’s sound design controlled by young operator Lilly Griechen. Stage management is by Gemma Wright and Daniel Ramsell.

Disney The Lion King Kids has cuteness in abundance and may well be the launching pad for many future thespians – a joy to watch.

Kimberley Shaw